VOC Port Plans Major Upgrade of Berth No. 7 with ₹517-Crore Global Tender.

V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority has floated a global tender to upgrade Berth No. 7 at the VOC Port into a modern container terminal capable of handling large vessels with a capacity of up to 12,100 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) and a draft of 14.20 metres.

The ₹517-crore project will be executed on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) model, with a concession period of 30 years. Once completed, the upgraded facility is expected to handle an annual throughput of around 4.2 lakh TEUs, significantly enhancing the port’s container handling capacity.

The port authority has invited global participation for the project, which is aimed at strengthening India’s maritime logistics infrastructure and improving efficiency in container operations.

According to the tender document, the scope of work includes strengthening the existing berth with new piles, dredging the berth pocket to a depth of minus 16.5 metres, and installing modern marine infrastructure such as fenders, bollards, and utility systems.

The project also plans the deployment of advanced cargo-handling equipment, including quay cranes, rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGCs), electric tractor trailers, and reach stackers, to support faster and more efficient container movement.